88% of employees regularly experience stress

More than two-fifths (88%) of UK respondents regularly experience stress at work, according to research by human capital management firm ADP.

Its The workforce view in Europe 2015/16 report, which surveyed 11,257 working adults across Europe, including 1,500 employees in the UK, also found that over three-quarters (79%) of UK respondents feel that their employer is trying to help them manage stress levels.

The research also found:

43% of UK respondents say that stress is a constant factor in their roles and that they feel stressed often or very often.

Just 12% of UK respondents have never experienced workplace stress.

Almost a third (31%) cite a good work-life balance as the most motivating factor at work, followed by the ability to work when and where they want (29%)

Around a quarter (24%) name employee benefits that focus on long-term financial welfare as the top motivating factor at work.

36% of UK respondents would like a mixture of flexible and fixed hours, and 37% would like to adopt a totally flexible working pattern.

Leon Vergnes, senior vice president Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) at ADP, said: “Over the past few years, we have seen employee attitudes toward work-life balance and the quality of life shift dramatically. We believe this is more than just a passing trend, and employee desires are really affecting how organisations operate.

“The appetite for flexible working opportunities is on the rise, and we also expect to see an increasing demand for employee benefits that support health and wellbeing. Employers must ensure that they can respond to these demands and have the support and technology in place to make the change possible.”